The Diamond League series hits Birmingham on Sunday, with Olympic champions Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford among those in action

Great Britain’s Olympic champions Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford are in action in Birmingham on Sunday (June 7) in the first of Britain’s two Diamond League meetings.

A full timetable and entry lists can be found here, but we have taken a quick look ahead to some of the events particularly worth watching out for.

Women’s shot put

Following her 20.77m PB in Beijing, Germany’s Christina Schwanitz will advertise her claims to being a serious challenger to Valerie Adams’ supremacy when she returns from injury.

Jessica Ennis-Hill was originally due to take part in this event and the sprint hurdles but has withdrawn following her heptathlon last weekend. My body held up well in Gotzis, but I feel competing seven days later is going to be too soon,” she said.

Men’s long jump

London 2012 Olympic winner Greg Rutherford faces tough opposition from Mike Hartfield, Li Jinzhe and Ignisious Gaisah, while Dan Bramble makes his debut at this level following his recent 8.21m breakthrough.

Women’s 200m

Allyson Felix, who has this year run the quickest time in the world since 2012, will be looking to go under 22 seconds again and faces Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, assuming the Jamaican recovers from a hamstring injury sustained during warm-up in Rome on Thursday.

Dina Asher-Smith, who recently set a UK 100m record of 11.02, could beat her PB of 22.61. Euro silver medallist Jodie Williams makes her 200m seasonal debut.

Women’s 100m hurdles

One of the most talented fields of the afternoon sees new star Jasmin Stowers looking to go even quicker than her recent 12.35.

World champion Brianna Rollins and British record-holder Tiffany Porter are also in the line-up, although Olympic Sally Pearson, who was due to compete, suffered a broken wrist in Rome on Thursday night.

Men’s 1500m

Predictably it is Mo Farah who ends the programme and the double Olympic champion is stepping down to the distance at which he is European record-holder.

He may have to produce another stunning performance like his national record as he takes on Olympic bronze medallist and sub-3:30 man Abdalaati Iguider. Bethwel Birgen, Vincent Kibet and Homiyu Tesfaye have also run below 3:32, while Bernard Lagat, the second fastest man in history, should beat Anthony Whiteman s world outdoor M40 record of 3:42.02.

See the June 4 edition of AW magazine for a more in-depth preview

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